Towards US$ 1 Million Export Fruit

 

At the seminar, many experts said that with nearly 1 million hectares of fruits yield of 8 million tons/year, Vietnam is getting huge opportunity to become a powerful country of export fruit if properly invested.

According to Mr John Hey, Europe is the largest market of fresh vegetables and the world’s largest importer. 16 Western countries alone imported 73 million tons of vegetables and fruits, in which import demand for fresh tropical fruits increased dramatically. In particular, the retail market in Europe is changing and tends to find the direct source of goods rather than through intermediaries. Economic downturn has changed the practices of consumers. They noted more discount retail stores. “More and more people are crowded at sale-off stores. This may be the popular image in the future”- John Hey analyzed. 

 

One of the minimum requirements for fruits imported into Europe must meet Global GAP standards (global standards for quality, safe, and traceable source). There are also many other standards such as BRC (harvest), MRLs (maximum residues of plant protection drugs permitted)…

 

The trend of consumers is eating outside (no food at home) due to limited time and inconvenient for cooking. For example, in England, 51 % of food is consumed outside. Thus, the processed, packed, cut products will prevail. This is also a trend of consumption of fruits in many Asian countries today.

 

Currently, dragon fruit and grapefruit have captured consumer sentiment in Europe and America. China is a great supplier for these two markets but only a few months (from September to January next year).So, Vietnam grapefruit has huge oppotunity because of technical production for fruits for the whole year. Though Vietnam grapefruit cost more than Chinese grapefruit, European consumers still accept to buy Vietnam grapefruit due to higher quality. In addition, magosteen, mango and labels also have great oppotunities to penetrate these markets because Europe consumers are looking toward.

 

”Vietnam Fruit gets large competitve pressure from Thailand and China fruit. It is needed to improve pre-harvest, post-harvest techniques and have better marketing, promotion,” John Hey noted.

 

According to Dr. Nguyen Huu Dat – the Department of Plant Protection (MARD), opportunities to export Vietnam fruits into difficulty markets like U.S grow when some types not need irradiation treatment or steam treatment are allowed. Of which, bananas and coconuts have the greatest potential for a large area and high yield. Coconuts just need to peel, and bananas can harvest at green…

To get success for fruit export to Europe and America, the domestic and foreign experts said that first of all fruits must ensure the standards and demands of the market, be able to provide huge continuous quantity, and need to establish larger production organizations. However, not need to be in a hurry but have a long-term approach planning. In that, the matter of quality, safety, and traceability are vital requirements of Vietnam farmers and enterprises.

 

According to Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development -Diep Kinh Tan, currently local authorities are completing planning for fruit cultivation specialized areas. Additionally, they will focus on investment and development of post-harvest techniques and Vietnam fruit promotion in the coming time. “Our post-harvest techniques are not much paid attention; therefore many fruits are consumed at one place but not go far away. If better development of post-harvest techniques, Vietnam fruit products for export will certainly be more and easier”- Mr. Tan said. 

 

Apart from the difficult markets, Vietnam is also focusing on marketing and advertising fruits to China because it is a large market and great demand for fruits. In coming time, MARD will have several sessions, discussions between Chinese businesses and Vietnam to “explore” this market in the near future. Mr. Tan affirmed: “We are concentrating to overcome difficulties of fruit production, from planning to improving and promoting products. The goal is that by 2015 Vietnam will export fruit reached US$ 1 billion”.